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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2005 > June 
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 13, 2005


National Passport Information Center Expands Live Customer Service

The National Passport Information Center today expanded its hours of live customer service assistance by an additional five hours. Live operator assistance is now available from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. During these hours, customers with questions about U.S. passport applications may speak directly with customer service representative. Live customer service TDD/TDY operators are also available for customers with hearing impairments.

The expansion of service hours will enable the Department of State to continue to meet customer service goals by increasing live operator availability from twelve to seventeen hours per day. The demand for live customer service from the National Passport Information Center has risen to unprecedented levels due to the record number of passport applications being received by the Department of State’s Passport Services. Over 8.8 million passport applications were adjudicated in 2004, an increase of 22% over the previous year and applications to date this year are up by another 14%.

Passport customers may continue to contact the National Passport Information Center at any time during the day or night for automated information or, if a passport is needed within 14 days, to make an appointment at a Passport Agency.

The National Passport Information Center’s toll free number is
1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TDY: 1-888-874-7793). Customers may also visit the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://www.travel.state.gov for how to apply for a U.S. passport, to download or print application forms or to locate the nearest passport application acceptance facility.

2005/608


Released on June 13, 2005

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